Self-sufficiency in tabaski sheep in senegal : ISRA-BAME in search of sustainable solutions !
Publié le 21 août 2023
Tabaski is a major event for the Muslim community which makes up 95% of Senegal’s population, Tabaski represents a real challenge for the overwhelming majority apart from the religious aspect, this festival has an impact on virtually every aspect of society (compulsory sacrifice for any Muslim of age who can afford it), the economy (sheep trading and all related activities : transport, sale of livestock feed, animal health, etc.) and society (social cohesion, family happiness, strengthening of neighbourhood and kinship ties).
Even if other sacrifice options are offered to them by religion according to their means (goats, sheep and camels), the sacrifice of mutton remains the most crucial aspect for households.
Consequently, meeting the national demand for sheep at reasonable price remains the major challenge for the public authorities, who have two options open to them : resort to imports from neighbouring countries (Mali and Mauritania), which account for 73% and 27% of sheep imports respectively, or move towards self-sufficiency in Tabaski sheep (in the medium to long term).
It is against this backdrop of uncertainty that the Bureau d’Analyses Macroéconomiques de l’Institut Sénégalais de Recherches Agricoles (ISRA/BAME), as part of its « Tuesday of BAME » series of conferences has attempted to provide answers to the nagging question of Senegal’s self-sufficiency in sheep at the end, various stakeholders were invited to a day of reflection on the theme of « self-sufficiency in Tabaski sheep in Senegal - current situation, constraints and solutions ».
« Small ruminants particularly sheep are widely used for ceremonies and festivals in Senegal. Every Tabaski, there is a huge demand for this type of animal and the government calls on neighbouring countries to supply its market. It’s a matter of national importance », said Astou Diao Camara, Director of BAME.
From these discussions, it emerged that livestock feed and health remain the main concerns of professionals in the sector.
In response to these concerns, Dr Papa Abdoulaye Kane, a researcher at ISRA/BAME said to make up the shortfall in livestock feed in Senegal, the government must promote fodder crops in the opinion of this health specialist, livestock farmers should use feed rations that are cheaper than the feed offered by feed suppliers.
Faced with the high cost of animal feed, the President of the National Federation of Sheep Farmers in Senegal is urging livestock farmers to start growing fodder to ensure that their animals are fed. Abou Kane added Senegal must not be dependent on concentrates.
« We believe that these discussions on finding solutions to achieve market self-sufficiency in sheep in the face of constraints (livestock feed, animal diseases, access to pasture) that limit the productivity of the animals are highly relevant, » explained Aliou Samba Bâ, a representative of livestock breeders’ associations
A member of the Maison des éleveurs de Thiès (Thiès Breeders’ House), Ismaïla Sow has called for training and capacity building for livestock farmers in order to move towards professionalisation. And to achieve this, he believes that constraints relating to livestock feed, animal diseases and access to pasture must be removed.
We need to work together,« said Ismaila Sow, representing the President of the Thiès Breeders’ Association, »researchers and breeders, to ensure maximum livestock production.
Dame Sow, Director of Livestock, like the Directors of ISRA’s animal health research laboratories, welcomed this initiative and invited BAME and ISRA’s other research centres to hold a larger meeting on sheep self-sufficiency in Senegal. According to him, the problem of sheep supply in Senegal goes beyond the Tabaski feast.
📍📍📍 Press coverage 28th BAME Tuesday
APS 👉🏿 CONCLAVE AUTOUR DE L’APPROVISIONNEMENT DU PAYS EN MOUTONS https://aps.sn/hann-conclave-autour-de-lapprovisionnement-du-pays-en-moutons/
SENEPLUS👉🏿 https://www.seneplus.com/societe/conclave-autour-de-lapprovisionnement-du-pays-en-moutons
DIRECTACTU👉🏿https://directactu.net/2023/06/13/video-28eme-mardi-du-bame-des-experts-au-tour-du-table-pour-pister-des-solutions-sur-lautosuffisance-en-mouton-au-senegal/
Voici 👉🏿le débat de la TFM sur la Tabaski avec Dame Sow, les éleveurs et l’ASCOSEN. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpHUF9joc68
VIVAFRIK👉🏿 https://www.vivafrik.com/2023/06/13/le-senegal-dispose-plus-de-270-000-hectares-de-terre-cultivable-revele-abou-kane-a51411.html
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